That being the case, just when do we receive this shinjin? It is when the Name of the Buddha (the myogo) reaches our minds and hearts; in other words, as in the phrase, “hearing is faith” (mon soku shin), it is when the Name of the Buddha is truly heard.

In regards to “hearing” (mon), the Venerable Master wrote the following in the Chapter on Shinjin in the Kyogyoshinsho:

“To hear” in the sutras refers to the fact that sentient beings hear the origin, cause and effect of the Buddha’s Vow, and do not have doubt in them. That is what “to hear” means.

What the Venerable Master means by this is that the Buddha established his Primal Vow to save evil persons such as myself, and after a long period of the most difficult spiritual practices, brought that vow to fruition. Accepting that vow without the slightest doubt that it will bring about my salvation, is what “hearing” (mon) is.

In other words, “hearing” in the true sense occurs only after listening carefully to the Primal Vow, and receiving shinjin after all our doubts are cleared up.

In Article 193 of Rennyo Shonin Goichidai Kikikaki (Heard and Recorded During Master Rennyo’s Lifetime), it states:

Regardless of our doubts, if we listen intently with our entire being, we will be given shinjin because of Great Compassion. The Buddhist teaching (begins and) ends in hearing.

“Listening” (chomon), i.e., listening to the dharma, is our most important concern, and is how we receive shinjin.